title: Sexual orientation microaggressions and the experience of sexual minorities.
abstract: This qualitative study sought to confirm and expand on previous research on sexual orientation microaggressions--subtle discrimination in the form of verbal, behavioral, and environmental slights and indignities as defined by Sue (2010). The study had two primary research questions: Does the data from the sample validate Sue's (2010) typology of sexual orientation microaggressions? Beyond Sue's (2010) typology, are other themes/types of sexual orientation microaggressions present in the data? Using a focus group methodology, data was collected from a sample of self-identified non-heterosexual college students (N=12). Data analysis confirmed five previously identified themes from Sue's (2010) typology (Endorsement of Heteronormative Culture, Sinfulness, Homophobia, Heterosexist Language/Terminology, and Oversexualization) and demonstrated two new themes (Undersexualization and Microaggressions as Humor). The implications of sexual orientation microaggressions, along with limitations and future research directions, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321, USA. lplatt@csbsju.edu
authors.forename: Lisa F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Platt
authors.forename: Alexandra L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lenzen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D063509:Homophobia / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult